Midlander, supervisor honored by Michigan Works

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 6, 2003

Wayne Badgero of Midland believes if someone wants to work, eventually theres a job waiting around the corner.

Badgeros work ethic netted him the Michigan Works Alumnus of the Year Award for the region including Midland, Bay and Saginaw counties. Badgero, a mechanic for Wieland Sales of Bay City, received the award in a Lansing ceremony Wednesday. His supervisor, Paul Bidwell, was honored locally as Michigan Works Employer of the Year.

Badgero earned $10 an hour as a construction worker at his last job, but left in October 2001. The poor economy had resulted in his hours being cut, and he was earning $8,000 a year. With four children living at home, he needed more money.

Add to his troubles six weeks off work after he severed his thumb.

He never received cash assistance from the Family Independence Agency, but FIA referred him to Michigan Works. He took its class for job seekers, then spent three or four weeks applying to at least 100 area businesses.

"If you want a job, there are jobs out there," he said. "You have to want to work."

He stopped at Wieland Sales on his rounds, and a week later the company called him for an interview. He thinks an earlier job at a trucking company helped him get a foot in the door. Another incentive for his employer was Michigan Works offer, under the on-the-job training program, to pay as much as half his salary for his first six months work.

Bidwell said something clicked between him and Badgero, and praised Badgero for his attitude about work.

Andrea Bridgewater of Midlands Michigan Works office said Badgero stood out as an applicant because he didnt have much in the way of formal training when he came looking for work, but showed a good work ethic and Wieland played on that.

As a mechanic for Wieland, Badgero changes oil and does brake and lubrication work on trucks, and maintains machinery in the shop. Wieland is helping him earn state certifications.

He called the states Work First job training and placement program excellent.

He loves his $12-an-hour job because he doesnt have to work under a lot of pressure, the work changes daily and hes always learning something.